The Federal Government has cautioned the United States and other members of the diplomatic community against making unguarded utterances concerning domestic matters in Nigeria.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali, who gave the warning during an interactive session with the diplomatic community over the shift of the general election said some heads of mission “have continued to behave in an imperial manner and in clear breach of the channel of the diplomatic communication.
“A situation, where a head of mission takes on the role of a government, seeking to impose the views and perspectives of his government and making unguarded utterances on matters that are strictly within the domestic jurisdiction of the host country is totally unacceptable.
“It is only in this country that I have noticed some envoys, who have taken it upon themselves and without recourse to the government to embark on social causes and political advocacy that are totally unrelated to conventional diplomacy and representational duties of ambassadors.
“It is, therefore, unacceptable for envoys to abuse their privileges and immunities by behaving in a manner that would have been met with the opprobrium in their countries were Nigerian ambassadors to behave in like manner.
“Let me be clear on this, the Federal Government will no longer tolerate the excesses of such heads of mission.
“They are, hereby, advised to operate within the norms and etiquette of diplomatic intercourse.”
The minister added that with the support of the international community, the elections will hold as scheduled.